Official Review: Last Dance by Stephen Manning

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Last Dance" by Stephen Manning.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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What does it mean to be a great mother? Stephen Manning attempts to answer this question in this heartwarming story about his late wife, Mary Ann. The book is a labor of love written to celebrate the life of a lovely woman and a devoted mother.

Last Dance by Stephen Manning follows a linear path—each chapter unlocks tidbits and offers snapshots of their lives. The author describes the first moment he laid eyes on Mary Ann to her final breath when she succumbed to her illness and everything in between. Readers are entertained by the couples' fun-loving relationship, frequent moves around the country, and endearing stories about raising a family. While the good times were thoroughly documented, such as Stephen's flourishing career and the arrival of each child, it wasn't all roses. A family tragedy and a cancer diagnosis turned their lives upside down.

There were many things to like about the book, but my favorite of all of them was Stephen's unwavering love for Mary Ann. He was besotted with her throughout their entire marriage and often referred to her as his "angel." Everything he did seemed to be for the betterment of his family and Mary Ann—working tirelessly to get promotions, moving to the best family-friendly communities, and of course, letting Mary Ann call the shots.

Due to Stephen's ever-changing career, he traveled often, and the Mannings moved all over the country. Another aspect that I enjoyed about the book was the author's willingness to share his travel experiences. Exploring the Swiss Alps, wine tours in Napa Valley, and the rolling hills of Ireland were just a few of the destinations Stephen Manning described.

While I enjoyed learning about life in the Manning family, my only dislike was the slow pace, particularly in the first half of the book. Upon the first several chapters, I felt like the story was veering off course. At times, the author devoted too much detail to things that may be uninteresting to a reader. There were specific details about Stephen's job that I felt could have been omitted. For example, drawn-out conversations between him and his boss and the over-explanation of work-related projects. I felt this took the spotlight away from the heart of the story—Mary Ann and his children.

I was impressed by the book's overall presentation; I found very few errors, and confidently concluded that it was professionally edited. I have chosen to give Last Dance a rating of four out of four stars. Despite the slower pace, the raw emotion and unconditional love that Stephen felt for his wife translated into a beautiful love story—one I will never forget.

For readers dealing with the loss of a spouse due to illness, I would recommend this book. The author does an excellent job of documenting his grief while still celebrating Mary Ann's legacy. Those who love stories about family and unconditional love will find Stephen's words honest and relatable. While the content is suitable for all ages, I think the writing would resonate more with mature readers.

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Last Dance
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[Josephe-Anne]

This sounds like a beautiful story about the eventful life of a happily-married couple. I think it's sweet that the author chose to write this personal account as way to pay tribute to his beloved wife.

Thank you for such a touching review.

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

This sounds like a beautiful story about the eventful life of a happily-married couple. I think it's sweet that the author chose to write this personal account as way to pay tribute to his beloved wife.

Thank you for such a touching review.

Thanks for your comment

[Irene_A]

Sounds like a lovely read and a true definition of ‘till death do us part’. Will be adding this to my library for future read. Thanks for your review.

[simwa2]

Beautiful story for anyone to read it. Sometimes we lose our beloved ones through death but retaining love in your heart will help us to cope with the situation over longer period of time.
Cheers

[Arr_dah]

This sounds amazing. I can't wait to read this.

[Adelle v]

What a heart warming tribute to his wife this is. I love how Stephen Manning did everything in his power to enrich the life of his Angel. Thanks for a great review.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

Sometimes it’s hard to read a story that has the loss of someone close in the narrative. But as I read the first few pages I realised that he writes in an upbeat and compelling style, which bodes well. Thank you for the informative review.

[Omjay Puyed]

Very we'll beutiful story beutiful book nice written by writer and we'll reviewed by the reviewer good to see this book.

[Vaaidehee Gijare]

This seems like a captivating tale that chronicles the adventurous journey of a joyfully-wedded pair.

[Henry Omondi 1]

An epic story cataloging an eventful life experience and tragedy. Of course losing a loved one is nerve wrecking but the author comes out strong.

[Hira Meherban]

This seems like a captivating story that chronicles the adventurous journey of a joyfully-wedded pair.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

"Last Dance" by Stephen Manning is a touching tribute to a devoted wife and mother, capturing the essence of unconditional love and the beauty of life's journey, even through tragedy. Manning's deep affection for Mary Ann shines through every page, making this a poignant read for anyone who values family and love. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Aishat Fatola]

Thank you for this review. Even though you stated the story is slow paced, I believe it will be a great read for lovers of love stories

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

What a lovely testimony to a great wife and mother. I can't possibly imagine how hard it must be to lose a partner. I'm sure the book was a cathartic experience to the author, and I hope it helps us who have our partners alive to stop sweating the small stuff and, to those going through the same, to find some peace.
Thank you for your review.